Hase F-4G build

Well, Sarge, we all just trying to reproduce an effect of the different metals used in the construction of the Phantom's tail area. Many different metals were used in real life, and the differences show in photographs.

This is a line up of F-4Es and F-4G, with possible RF-4C tails in the mix (or they might be very early F-4E tails)

you can see that there is one color for the area behind the engines, another color above the engines, with the engines being made of different colors. Then you can see the multiple colors on the inner parts of the Stabilators and the thin line of metal along the front edge of the Stab, which gets larger out towards the tip.

I like to try and keep it down to only three colors, plus the "burnt drybrushing on the cans", but, a person could make the case for using 5 or 6 different metal colors to do this job.

oops, sorry, I cut off three aircraft in the process of zooming in to capture the different colors on the aircraft in the forefront.

I'm getting ready to start this exact same kit.  When it comes to the tail area of my build, I'm planning on using 2 or 3 different Alclad colors and possibly a couple different primer bases to get the difference in appearance, then I am going to use the Tamiya weathering kit with the burnt metal and oil colors over the top.  I've done some practicing on this technique on some scraps and it turns out pretty realistic.

Look at pics of various F-4Gs and just do your best to replicate the metal work. I used Alclad on this F-4S, starting with a gloss black base and used Airframe Aluminum, Dark aluminum, and duraluminum. Then post shaded with Tamiya smoke.

Looks fantastic Nathan!  I like the effect you achieved with the smoke.

No kidding, now it is going to cost me airfare to get him out here to do the tail on mine............

Holycrap Batman. That's some job....

jelliott523

I'm getting ready to start this exact same kit.  When it comes to the tail area of my build, I'm planning on using 2 or 3 different Alclad colors and possibly a couple different primer bases to get the difference in appearance, then I am going to use the Tamiya weathering kit with the burnt metal and oil colors over the top.  I've done some practicing on this technique on some scraps and it turns out pretty realistic.

This idea sounds real promising. I've seen great effects done on exhausts with the Tamiya pigments. Please post your build when you get to it. 

That's one hell of a build Nathan.

Methinks I'll be practicing on some scrap.

Show me some of your builds! ; )

Thanks Sarge. They're all over the forums here. Just try searching using my user name. I'm currently building an F-100 in the Vietnam GB, and just finished a Stuka for Bish's Stuka GB. 109s and Fw-190s in past GBs also. Practice on some scrap will give you a good idea of what metallic shades you like and which ones you don't. Just remember to start with a gloss black base and light mist on the Alclad. Don't go for complete coverage. Let the black base act as a shadow.

Nathan, that is an awesome VF-103 bird. It really looks good.

Nathan T

Thanks Sarge. They're all over the forums here. Just try searching using my user name. I'm currently building an F-100 in the Vietnam GB, and just finished a Stuka for Bish's Stuka GB. 109s and Fw-190s in past GBs also. Practice on some scrap will give you a good idea of what metallic shades you like and which ones you don't. Just remember to start with a gloss black base and light mist on the Alclad. Don't go for complete coverage. Let the black base act as a shadow.

I don't see how to search forums....these metalizers I have are lacquer. Should I prime with lacquer or can I prime with enamel? Are gloss primers better to use for metalizer topcoats?

Nathan T

jelliott523

I'm getting ready to start this exact same kit.  When it comes to the tail area of my build, I'm planning on using 2 or 3 different Alclad colors and possibly a couple different primer bases to get the difference in appearance, then I am going to use the Tamiya weathering kit with the burnt metal and oil colors over the top.  I've done some practicing on this technique on some scraps and it turns out pretty realistic.

This idea sounds real promising. I've seen great effects done on exhausts with the Tamiya pigments. Please post your build when you get to it. 

I'll definitely start a thread on the Weasel when I get her started.  I will have to take some pics of the engines on my 787 where I used the Tamiya pigments to show you how it turned out to recreate a burnt metal look.

No such thing as a gloss primer. Prime first with a Lacquer primer, then spray gloss black lacquer, then metalizers. To search the forums, use the Search the Community box on the right hand side of the Forum page. You can try to use enamels first, but try all this on a scrap piece before using it on the model to make sure the lacquer metalizers don't eat into the enamel primer and gloss black.

I use Testors black gloss enamel (small bottle)  as the primer for the Alclads and it works just fine. The enamel has to be dry so by the next day is ok to spray the Alclad.  

I use the Testors black gloss enamel out of the small bottles too for the primer for Alclad, I've also used a flat dark grey doing some testing on scraps, it gives a nice un-polished metal look, more like raw steel.

That's an awesome build nathan . I am still trying to nail the use of tamiya smoke for that effect. Whenever I use it it seems like I thin it too much and it just runs off the surface when spraying with an airbrush at 15 psi.

Thanks B 1. Try thinning it less an lower the psi to 10/12. Tamiya smoke is just a clear gloss tinted to a smoke color, so it shouldn't need much thinning.

Got my F-4 Phantom in action book yesterday....no color photos!

I'd like to start shooting some primer on this thing, but I think I wanna try raising some of the fine panel lines I whacked while sanding, and I think I'm gonna give these a go, considering the scale. Thanks to oortiz10 for the info. I never knew products like this were available.